Biological filter for the sterilization and enrichment of a gas stream with negative ions

ABSTRACT

A biological filter for the sterilization and enrichment of a gas stream with negative ions, wherein said filter comprises in combination, on the path of the gas molecules and in the direction of flow of the gas, a first separating electrode which is brought to a negative potential, a second extraction electrode which is brought to a positive potential and entirely covered with electric insulating material, an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating said gas stream and a third output electrode which is brought to a negative potential.

United States Patent 1191 Shahgholi et al.

[4 Oct. 7, 1975 BIOLOGICAL FILTER FOR THE STERILIZATION AND ENRICHMENTOF A GAS STREAM WITH NEGATIVE IONS [76] Inventors: Manouchehr Shahgholi,87 N.

Pahlavi Ave.; Ali Sekhavat, Boite Postale 837, both of Teheran, Iran[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,156

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 23, 1972 France 72.37540[52] US. Cl 55/102; 21/DIG. 2; 21/74 R; 55/131; 55/136; 55/155; 55/279[51] Int. Cl. B03c 3/00 [58] Field of Search 55/102, 279, 138, 131,55/155, 136, 139; 21/53, 54 R, 55, 74 R, 74

A, DIG. 2; 250/532, 533, 538, 539, 540, 541

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,418,339 4/1947 Ehrgott55/279 X 2,553,711 5/1951 Jackson Pollock 5 5/6 2,958,393 11/1960 Lueder317/242 X 3,313,971 4/l967 Nagy 313/101 3,403,252 9/1968 Nagy 21/74 X3,533,222 10/1970 Gasperinlm 55/131 X 3,599,399 8/1971 Gallon 98/115 SBX 3,722,182 3/1973 Gilbertson 92/2.l1 X 3,738,088 6/1973 Colosimo 23/288R 3,804,942 4/1974 Kato et al. 423/239 Primary ExaminerBernard NozickAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Cameron, Kerkam, Sutton, Stowell & Stowell [57]ABSTRACT A biological filter for the sterilization and enrichment of agas stream with'negative ions, wherein said filter comprises incombination, on the path of the gas molecules and in the direction offlow of the gas, a first separating electrode which is brought to anegative potential, a second extraction electrode which is brought to apositive potential and entirely covered with electric insulatingmaterial, an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating said gas stream and athird output electrode which is brought to a negative potential.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct.7,1975 Sheet10f2 3,910,778

US. Patent 00:. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,910,778

3 iii Cl BIOLOGICAL FILTER FOR THE STERILIZATION AND ENRICHNIENT OF AGAS STREAM WITH NEGATIVE IONS This invention relates to a biologicalfilter for the sterilization and enrichment of a gas stream withnegative ions, the filter being primarily intended to be fitted inventilation sources in order to obtain an appreciable increase in theconcentration of negative ions which are present in air with respect tothe concentration of positive ions.

In fact, recent studies carried out by doctors and physiologists haveserved to demonstrate the considerable importance of the presence ofnegative ions in the atmosphere and more especially of negative oxygenions in the case of air since they prove essential to biological andparticularly human equilibrium. lt is known at the present time, forexample, that disorders as widely different in character as asthma,arthrosis, some types of migraines or sick headaches, cancer and soforth appear much more frequently and more readily in persons who leadtheir daily lives in environments which have a low concentration ofnegative oxygen ions.

Generally speaking, the surrounding air contains a much higherproportion of positive ions than negative ions even in the zones inwhich the air is of high purity. Unfortunately, the processes ofpollution by waste products discharged into the atmosphere fromindustrial sources bring about a considerable reduction in the number ofnegative oxygen ions which are present in the air breathed by humanbeings; and in some extreme cases such as the centers of largeindustrial towns, these negative ions are completely eliminated. Therecent biological studies mentioned earlier now confirm the majordisadvantages which arise from these conditions.

The precise aim of this invention is to provide a biological filter forcounteracting the disastrous effects of pollution by means of a surplusof negative ions produced within a flowing gas stream, and especially anair stream for the ventilation of residential premises.

Said biological filter for the sterilization and enrichment of a gasstream with negative ions is essentially characterized in that itcomprises in combination, on the path of the gas molecules and in thedirection of flow of the gas, a first separating electrode which isbrought to a negative potential, a second extraction electrode which isbrought to a positive potential and entirely covered with electricinsulating material, an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating said gas streamand a third output electrode which is brought to a negative potential.

In accordance with the invention, the first separating electrode whichis brought to a negative potential with respect to the surroundingatmosphere carries out a first selection of the ions naturally containedin the gas stream to be enriched with negative ions by collecting themajority of the positive ions originally contained in said stream. Thesecond extraction electrode which is located behind the first in thedirection of flow of the gas stream is positively charged and, by virtueof the field produced, consequently constitutes the acceleratingelectrode for the few negative ions which will have passed through thefirst electrode. In accordance with the invention, said secondextraction electrode is electrically insulated over its entire surface,for example by means of a covering of plastic material of any suitabletype, in order that said electrode may thus be prevented from collectingthe few negative ions which pass through this latter. The ultravioletlamp which is then encountered by the gas stream on its flow path causeson the one hand bacteriological sterilization and above all very strongionization of the neutral molecules of said gas stream and this latteris thus abundantly seeded with positive and negative ions. The thirdoutput electrode is brought to a negative potential so that the positiveions produced within the gas stream by the ultraviolet lamp can becollected as they pass, there being allowed to remain only the negativeions which are then carried to the exterior by the gas stream.

The potential differences established between the three electrodes arenot critical per se but an advantageous normal value can be within therange of 350 to 400 volts, for example, this being readily obtained bymeans of a domestic generator which operates from the mains supplysystem.

As has been explained earlier, the main advantage of said biologicalfilter lies in the fact that it provides an effective means of combatingair pollution and the resultant destructive action on the negative ionsof oxygen which are essential for maintaining life in all its forms. Thepresent invention accordingly finds a wide variety of applications innumerous fields such as science', agronomy, zoology, space technology,medicine, easthetics, food science and so forth. One immediate and veryimportant application of the biological filter in accordance with theinvention consists in inserting said filter in the outlet shutter of anair conditioning ventilator of the type employed for comfort control.

A better understanding of the invention will in any case be gained froma perusal of the following description which relates to one example ofapplication of the biological filter according to the present invention,reference being made to the diagrammatic FlGS. 1 to 3 of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a biological filter in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one form of construction of the filter ofFIG. 1, said filter being engaged within a flat metal casing;

FIG. 3 shows the application of the biological filter according to theinvention to an apparatus for the production of conditioned air.

There is shown in FIG. 1 a flat gas stream 1 which flows in thedirection of the arrow F under the action of a ventilator of a typeknown per se (not shown), which passes successively through the firstseparating electrode 2, the second extraction electrode 3, theultraviolet lamp 4 and the third output electrode 5 and is then finallydischarged to the exterior for use by living beings. ln accordance withthe invention, the electrodes 2 and 5 are of conductive metal and of anydesired shape although a constructional design in the form of a grid iswholly suited to the result which is sought. In the non-limitativeembodiment of FIG. 1, the ultraviolet lamp has the shape of an annulartube within which the gas stream passes. Also in accordance with theinvention, the second electrode or extraction electrode 3 is whollycovered with an insulating plastic sheath 6. A direct-current supplysource 7 of a type known per se and comprising the electronic equipmentof the apparatus is adapted to carry the different electrodes 2, 3 and 5at the desired potentials. In the example of FIG. 1, the electrode 2 isbrought by means of the conductor 8 to a negative potential of 200volts; the extraction electrode 3 is brought by the conductor 9 to apositive potential of 200 volts and the third extraction electrode isbrought by the conductor 10 to a negative potential of 200 volts. Thesupply unit 7 also serves to supply electric power via the conductors 11and 12 to the ultraviolet lamp 4.

There is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by means of the signs and therelative proportion of the positive and negative ions which appearwithin the gas stream 1 progressively as this latter passes through thebiological filter in accordance with the invention. Before passing intothe apparatus, that is to say before reaching the electrode 2, thepositive ions are distinctly predominant. Inasmuch as the grid 2 retainsthe greater part of said positive ions, the ionization is then muchlower and essentially constituted by negative ions. At the moment ofpassing through the ultraviolet flux of the lamp 4, the gas stream istotally sterilized and again highly ionized, the third output electrode5 retains the majority of the positive ions, with the result that thegas stream 1 is essentially seeded with negative ions as it leaves saidelectrode.

The sectional view of FIG. 2 shows the different elements of FIG. 1 inthe real relative arrangement in which they are engaged within a flatcasing 13. The electrodes 2, 3 and 5 as well as the ultraviolet lamp 4are again shown in this figure. By virtue of this arrangement, thebiological filter in accordance with the invention is particularlyconvenient to use since the assembly is presented in the form of a platewhich can thus be readily placed on the path of a gas stream in order toenrich this latter in negative ions. This is the case, for example, withthe example of construction of FIG. 3 in which is shown an apparatus 14of known type for the production of conditioned air. The outlet shutter15 of this apparatus has two guides, only one guide 16 being visible inFIG. 3, the plate 17 containing the elements of the biological filter ofFIG. 2 being slidably engaged within said guides. In this mode ofapplication of the invention, the conditioned air is impelled into theenclosure to be thermostatically controlled in a direction of fiow whichis indicated by the arrow F. The flow of conditioned air through saidshutter 15 fitted with the generator 17 is alone sufficient to ensuresubstantial diffusion of negative oxygen ions within thethermostatically controlled premises, thus producing a beneficial actionon living beings as already pointed out in the foregoing.

As is readily apparent, the invention is not limited in any sense to thedifferent forms of construction which have been described only by way ofindication and extends to all alternative forms which are within thecapacity of any one versed in the art. As has already been explainedearlier, the present invention has a very broad range of applicationwhich is not limited solely to the production of conditioned airenriched with negative oxygen ions.

By way of example, one application of particular interest is theventilation of automobiles in which a biological filter according to theinvention is placed in the ventilation circuit and thus providespassengers with the means for readily obtaining an atmosphere which isbiologically pure and rich in negative oxygen ions.

What we claim is:

l. A biological filter for the sterilization and enrichment of a gasstream with negative ions, comprising on the path of the gas moleculesand in the direction of flow of the gas, a first separating electrode ata negative potential V, a second extraction electrode at a positivepotential +V and entirely covered with electric insulating material, anultraviolet lamp for irradiating said gas stream, a third outputelectrode at a negative potential -V, the three electrodes beingconductive metallic grids, the second electrode being electricallyinsulated from the gas stream by a covering of plastic material, theultraviolet lamp surrounding the gas stream and the value 2V beingbetween 350 and 400

1. A BIOLOGICAL FILTER FOR THE STERILIZATION AND ENRICHMENT OF A GASSTREAM WITH NEGATIVE IONS, COMPRISING ON THE PATH OF THE GAS MOLECULESAND IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FLOW OF THE GAS, A FIRST SEPARATINGELECTRODE AT A NEGATIVE POTENTIAL-V, A SECOND EXTRACTION ELCTRODE AT APOSITIVE POTENTIAL +V AND ENTIRELY COVERED WITH ELECTRIC INSULATINGMATERIAL, AN ULTRAVIOLET LAMP FOR IRRADIATING SAID GAS STREAM, A THIRDOUTPUT ELECTRODE AT A NEGATIVE POTENTIAL -V, THE THREE ELECTRODES BEINCONDUCTIVE METALLIC GRIDS, THE SECOND ELECTRODE BEING ELECTRICALLYINSULATED FROM THE GAS STREAM BY A COVERING OF PLASTIC MATERIAL, THEULTRAVIOLET LAMP SURROUNDING THE GAS STREAM AND THE VALUE 2V BEINGBETWEEN 350 AND 400 OLTS.